By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has warned that Nigeria’s low internet penetration, with more than half of the population offline, could significantly limit the country’s ability to participate in the burgeoning global digital trade market.
Speaking at the launch of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated that only 45 percent of Nigerians are connected to the internet, falling well short of the global average of 67 percent. She emphasized that no nation can truly digitize without a steady supply of electricity and affordable, reliable internet.
Nigeria was selected as one of four countries for the WEIDE Fund’s 2024 rollout, a move she said followed a highly competitive selection process. The fund will be implemented locally by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), led by Executive Director Nonye Ayeni.
Over 67,000 Nigerian women entrepreneurs applied for the fund, with the number of beneficiaries increased from 100 to 146 due to the exceptional quality of entries. The beneficiaries, operating in diverse sectors such as IT, fashion, and agriculture, will receive financial and technical support to boost their export capabilities.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stressed that digital trade is the fastest-growing segment of global commerce, valued at US$4.25 trillion, but Africa’s share remains below 1 percent. She urged a collaborative effort among key ministries to close the connectivity gap and empower Nigerian women to compete internationally, noting that women who trade internationally earn almost three times more than those who sell locally.
Also in attendance, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, committed to supporting the initiative, highlighting women’s unique ability to create business solutions with a lasting impact. The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Dele Oye, also praised the program for its potential to position Nigeria within the global digital trade ecosystem.